Men's Health: Coping with Andropause

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Good Morning!

 

Men's Health: Coping with Andropause

 

As men age, they can experience a phenomenon, which is similar to

female menopause, called Andropause. By the time a man reaches the

age of 30, testosterone levels begin dropping by about 10 percent

every decade. Young men often have testosterone levels exceeding

1000ng/dl. Look at the comparison of an 80 year-old men, whose

average testosterone is 200ng/dl.

 

Between the ages of 40 and 55, bodily changes occur very gradually in

men and may be accompanied by changes in attitudes and moods,

fatigue, a loss of energy, sex drive and physical agility. In

addition, attitudes, psychological stress, alcohol, injuries or

surgery, medications, obesity and infections can contribute to its

onset. This also seems to happen at a time in a man's life when they

begin to question their accomplishments, values and direction in

life. Therefore, it is often hard to realize that the changes that

are occurring are often related to more than just external

situations.

 

Although age does play a factor in testosterone levels, there is no

way of predicting who will experience andropause symptoms and to what

degree of severity. Neither is it predictable at what age symptoms

will occur in a particular individual. Each man's symptoms may be

different. It has been shown that a man's physical health and mental

well-being can play apart in the varying degrees of signs and

symptoms. Men who eat right, exercise on a regular basis and are

content in love and work, seem to experience symptoms, much less and

or later in life than those men who are obese, physically unfit,

unhappy or depressed.

 

Productivity is at the center of a man's existence. A man's

productivity is what gets him noticed and appreciated. This helps him

climb the ladder of success, bringing home the " bacon " and be

recognized as the bread winner. As he ages, the productivity tends to

switch to self-satisfying tasks and those, which give him purpose.

 

The Scoop on Human Growth Hormones (HGH)

 

Some scientific evidence shows that trophic factors, such as growth

hormone, estrogen, and testosterone, may help combat the aging

process. Growth hormone, in particular, may reduce frailty and help

older people maintain independence, but studies are showing mixed

results. The National Institutes on Aging (NIA) in Bethesda, Md., was

awarded grants to eight researchers to study the HGH in 1992. To this

day, studies are mixed in their results. Taking growth hormones may

cause sometimes, serious side effects, including carpal tunnel

syndrome, worsening of diabetes, high triglyceride levels and fluid

retention leading to congestive heart failure. " The clinical

usefulness remains unclear, " the NIA said in a statement.

 

Top 10 Ways To Cope With Andropause

 

1. Change your diet: Cut back on the fried foods, saturated fats and

sweets! Eat cleaner, healthier, live food. Eating is a learned

behavior so poor eating habits can be " unlearned " .

 

2. Get moving: Exercise not only is a great remedy for depression, it

is a great hormone builder. It truly gets the juices flowing!

 

3. Have more sex: Safe, satisfying, mind-bending. Remember, our mind

is our most powerful sex organ. Use that to your advantage.

 

4. Find more satisfaction in your work: Not doing the job of your

dreams? Don't you think it's about time you did! Put your fears away

(for once) and just go for it already!

 

5. Make your relationship the best it can be: If you have one, mix it

up a bit. Make it " new again " . Go back to the basics... Send flowers,

go somewhere new, go out on a " date " . If you don't have a

relationship, then try directing your intentions in the right place.

 

6. Coping strategies are important: Talk to others who may be

experiencing what you are feeling. Find some therapy in a group

session, a private therapist or go online and find a chat room.

 

7. Strengthen mental attitudes: Positive thinking. Maintain a sharp,

mental approach. Live intelligently!

 

8. Take control of your life: You are responsible for living a longer

life. You alone. You are in charge as to how long and how well you

will live.

 

9. Stay creative: Fresh ideas are one of the best approaches for

improving any area in your life. Get inspired from things around you.

 

10. Stay healthy: Good arterial health is a must. High blood

pressure, high cholesterol levels, excessive stress, poor diet, lack

of exercise are your ticket to a downward spiral.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

http://www.peacefulmind.com/supplements.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit